Clamp-applying tool



March 30, 1965 Filed June '7. 1961 CLAMP-APPLYING TOOL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 30, 1965 J. A. BYwA'rr-:R

CLAMP-APPLYING TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1961 CLAMP-APPLYING TOOL Filed June 7, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /anw 4 Syn/Arf@ United States Patent C 3,175,428 CLAMP-APPLYING TQGL John A. Bywater, Sonnenbergstrasse, Reinach, Switzerland Filed .lune 7, 1961, Ser. No. 115,564 8 Claims. (El. ttl- 9.3)

This invention relates to the formation and application of clamping and binding means, more particularly to novel tool means useful, in a specific but non-limiting illustrative embodiment, in the clamping of rubber hose to metal tubes as in the application of radiator hose to automobile radiators.

In my copending application Serial No. 862,329, led December 28, 1959, now Patent No. 3,078,532, I have described a novel clamp member consisting essentially of a metal strap having along each of its two flat surfaces a row of equally spaced projections suitably positioned and directed for interaction with those of the opposite surface when the `strap is formed into an encircling band or clamp, the overlapping ends of such clamp being held together by a retaining rinU where required. Although such clamps may be applied by the simplest of hand tools as suggested in said application Serial No. 862,329, they are much more easily and efficiently applied by means of special tools made and operated in accordance with the present invention and as will now be more specically set forth in terms of non-limiting embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a view in side elevation of one form of hand-operated clamp-applying tool with portions cut away and with an external clamp member in position for application around a horizontally disposed tube, indicated by broken lines;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the tool of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation taken at the section 2%-3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are plan and sectional views respectively of a portion of a typical clamp-.forming band;

FIGURE 6 Iis a view in side elevation, with portions cut away, of another specific form of clamp-applying tool carrying a supply of clamp-forming band;

FIGURE 7 isa partial view in elevation of the reverse side ofthe tool of FIGURE '6;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view, and FIGURE 9 a reverse side elevation, of the clamp-tightening ratchet disc member and associated portions of the tool of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 10 is a detail of the band-advancing member taken at section jtd-16 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 11 is a partial side elevation of still another form of clamp-applying tool with Working parts exposed and as applied in clamping;

FIGURE 12 is an external side elevation of the tool of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a partial rear View of the tool, partly in section; and

FIGURE 14 is a view in perspective of the handle socket member of the tool of FIGURE 1l.

When using the hand tool 11B of FIGURES 1-3, the clamp-forming band 11 is inserted along the upper surface of the tool in the position shown and beneath the top of the brace 19, and the extended forward end of the band is thrust through the ring 27, coiled around the .tube 12 tobe clamped, and again thrust through the ring to prot/ide an overlap as shown. The coiled clam-p thus formed lfrom the notched band 11 is tightened around the tube 12 by forcefully retracting the extended outer lap, by alternately squeezing and releasing thehandleis 13 and 141. Handle 14 is pivoted at 15 between the parallel frame plates 16, (of which only a minor fragment is shown in FIGURE l) and 16', and is connected through 3,175,428 Patented Mar. 30, 19165 "ice links 17, operating within similarly shaped apertures in the frame plates as shown, to toothed lever 1S which in turn is attached to brace 19 at pivot 20. The inverted U-shaped brace 19, shown in FIGURE 1 partly in section and with the nearer side removed, lies outside of and is piovted at Z1 to the frame members 16 and 16', the latter being held in spaced relationship and to the cover plates 22 by rivet 13a. The frame plates are partially cut away between rivet 13a and pivot 21 to provide Working space `for pivot 20. The cover plates 22 enclose the entire mechanism and extend to form the handle 13. A compression spring Z3 urges handle 14 away from handle 13, thereby keeping the toothed upper edge of lever 13 below the upper edge of the frame. The central pointed tip 24 of the tool 19 is toothed along upper surface 25 and lower curved surface 26 to fit the projections of the notched band 11, as indicated.

The overlapping portions of the notched band 11 are resiliently held in matching contact by the ring 27 forming a part of the completed clamp. The remaining length of the band 11 slides beneath theend of the U-shaped brace 19 and in position to be contacted by the toothed face `of the lever 18 as the latter is first raised and then forced away from the tip 245 by movement of the handle 14 toward handle '13.

The clamp formed of the band 11 and ring 27 is tightened about the tube 12 by the rearward motion of the movable toothed lever 1S as .the clamp is manually held in anchoring contact with the toothed lower retaining surface 26. The outer portion of the band slides over the inner portion within the resilient ring 27 which is thus held against the tip of the vtool as shown. Contact of the notched band with the toothed upper surface 25 and the curved toothed lower lsurface 26 of the tip 24 retains the tool closely against the tube 12 during retraction of the lever 1S.

On completion of the clamping action, the handle 14 is released, allowing the toothed lever 18 to retract from Contact with the ystrip 11. The tip 2d of the tool is then easily withdrawn from contact with `the clamp and the strip 11 is cut or broken at a point just past the ring 27, if desired without removing the remainder of the strip from the tool.

The structure and operation of the tool 1li will be further apparent on consideration of FIGURES 1-3 taken in conjunction with the plan and section views in FIG- URES 4 and 5 respectively of the notched band 11. The band is partially transversely slit and deformed at regular intervals along a central area to provide a series of offset projections centrally along each face, as further described in my application Serial No. 862,329 hereinbefore noted. The rounded teeth of lever 13 and tip 24 of the tool i'lt closely against these offset projections, while the smooth side areas of the `band slide along the smooth top edges of the frame plates 15, 16. The terminalcross-piece of the brace 19, shownin section in FIGURE 1 to reveal the toothed lever 18, retains the band 111 in position to be contacted and retracted by the motion of the lever 18. The inner surface of the cross-piece is centrally channelled to allow passage of the cent-ral toothed projections of the strip 11, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The tool 50 of lFIGURE 6 is of somewhat more sophisticated design than `that of FIGURE 1 and includes provision `for storage of a quantity of the notched band 11, a forming plate for bending the band into the desired curvature, and a cutter for severing the completed clamp from the remaining supply of notched band. The combined frame and cover member is in two halves, a farther half 511 and a nearer half 51, the nearer half being divided into a removable rearward ring-shaped section 51h and a iixed forward section 51a, a portion being cut away to show the interior operating structure. The band r11 is stored as a coil within the circular portion 52 and is forwardly expelled along the centrally open upper edge of the frame by means of a reciprocating feeder 53 held in place by pins 54 sliding in slot 55 and carrying a spring-mounted toothed thum-piece 56 the depending tooth of which contacts the notched central area of the band 11. `Downward and forward pressure on the thumb-piece 56 thus engages and advances the band. Teeth on the upper forward surface of a retaining lever 57 normally engage the lower notched surface of the band and prevent its forward movement; but the le* ver is pivotally removed from contact with the band by the forward movement of the feeder 53, the end of the bracket 87 providing the necessary impulse as it advances against the slanted rearward end surface of the lever 57.

The pins 54 pass through the side walls of the feeder S3 and through the tubular ends of bracket S7. The pins 54 are held in place by a spring member 86 fitting into a central groove in each pin. Bracket 87 supports a central clip 88 which retains the spring 86 and also serves as a pressure-plate for the coil spring 85 which urges the feeder assembly 53 toward the right in lFIGURE 6. A leaf spring S9, mounted on pin 91 and held under tension by pin 90 both attached to the frame, holds the lever 57 in the position shown when the feeder 53 is rctracted. The spring 80 and the rod on which the spring 85 is coiled are both anchored iat the pin 85a.

The clamp-forming band 11 is forced from the tool along the path formed by the upper edges of the guide plates 92, the inturned edges of the frame members 51, 51', and the upper surface of the pointed tip member '58, and strikes against the forward edge of the forming plate 59. The position of the forming plate is adjustable through positioning of the lever 60 which in turn rotates disc 61 to which the rearward end of the plate 59 is attached by a pin 62. The plate 59 slides between two pressure-pins 63, 64. Retracting the plate permits the ejected band -11 to form a larger loop; extending the plate increases the curvature and reduces the size of the loop.

The ejected band 11, in the form of a looped clamp 65 and fitted with a resilient ring 66, is placed around the hose or other article, indicated in FIGURE 6 by dotted circles, on which the clamp is to be fitted; and the clamp is then tightened by manipulation of the handle 67. As more clearly shown in FIGURE 7 taken in connection with FIGURE 6, operation of the handle 67 around the pivot 68 causes arcuate motion of the knob 69 attached through the rod f77 to the driving mechanism 70, and motion ofy the mechanism 70 around the pivot '71.

The mechanism 70, shown in more detail in FIGURES 8 and 9, comprises an oscillating plate 72, and a rotating drive member 73 formed of an outer disc 74 having a saw-tooth escapement track and an inner disc 75 having a toothed band-driving track, the two discs being held together by rivets 93, and the teeth of the two tracks facing in opposite directions around the periphery of the drive member. A latch 76, carried by the rod 77 connecting the handle 67 of `FIGURE 7 through the knob 69 to the'eXtended lobe of the plate 72, is urged by spring 78 against the outer disc 74, and serves to rotate the drive member 73 as the plate 72, is rotated by upward motion of the handle 67. The knob 69 slides within the channel provided by the bifurcated end of the handle 67 as the rod 77 is moved within the limits of the slot provided in the frame member 51. As the handle 67 is returned to the position shown in lFIGURE 6, by the spring 80 pressing against the pin 81 attached to said handle, the toothed end of the latch 76 slides over the toothed track without rotating the drive member 73, the latter being held in place by the band 11 and the toothed retaining lever 57 in Contact therewith. In the neutral position shown in FIGURE 9, however, the latch 76 is kept from contact with the disc 74 by contact with a pin 79, thus leaving the drive member free to revolve, i.e. during ejection of the band 11 by the action of the feeder 53 and thumb-piece 56 as previously described.

As the band 11 is drawn back over the flat top of the guide 58 by the rotation of the member 73, the toothed arcuate lower surface of the guide 58 anchors the looped clamp portion 65 of the band which is pressed thereagainst, and the notches of the contacting portions of the band are forced past each other within the resilient retaining ring 66 until the loop 65 is sufficiently tight around the hose or other article encircled thereby, while the ring 66 is pulled against the tip of the guide. The lever 84 is then depressed, causing the cam 83 on which it pivots to depress the `cutting blade 82 through the slot provided in the inturned retaining edges of the frame members 51a and 51, against the band 11, and in line with the cutting edge `94 formed in the upper surface of guide 58, thus severing the band.

The tool of FIGURES 11-14 comprises a worm 101 on a shaft 102 and supported within a housing formed of side plates 1103 and 103', -base plate 104, and pressure plate 105. The forward end of the shaft 102 is supported by a bearing 106. The shaft tits loosely between the cutaway folded ends 107, `107 of the side plates 103, 103. A collar 108 forming a part of the worm 101 prevents removal of the worm member. A handle 102a provides means for raising the worm into operative position and for rotating the same.

A segment of notched metal strap 109 tits over the curved forward portion of the base 104, being held in place by a peg `110 which fits Within a central hole formed in the strap segment for the purpose. A pin 111 holds the end of the segment in place after assembly. Pressure plate v105 and bearing 106 are held between side plates 103 and 103 by means of ears fitting into corresponding slots in the side plates, as shown at 112 for the bearing.

Side plates J103, 103 are further provided with horizontal ridges 113, 113 which, together with the bottom surface of the pressure plate 105, form a channel through which the band or strap 114 is pulled by the action of the worm 101. The plate l105 is provided with a central longitudinal channel along the lower surface, designed to receive the arcuate projections of the clamp-forming band 114.

At the forward ends of the side plates there are formed hooks 115, 115 against which the resilient ring 116 presses as the clamp 117 is tightened around the hose 118 or other article. Triangular inwardly projecting edge portion 121 on plate 103' and a corresponding member 121, shown in dotted lines on plate 103, help to support the band 114 and prevent it from buckling under tension.

A bolt 119 depending from the base 104 and between the inturned edges of the side plates 103, 103 serves for the attaching of a suitable handle member 120. A cover may, if desired, be fitted over the open top of the housing.

In operation, the loop forming the clamp 117 is formed around the hose 118 using the notched band 114, the resilient ring 116 being first applied. The handle 102a is then raised and simultaneously turned, bringing the worm 101 into contact with the band 114 and drawing the clamp taut. The clamp is meanwhile held by the strip 109. As soon as the desired retracting and clamping action is obtained, the handle 102a is lowered, releasing the band 114 and permitting withdrawal of the tool and severing of the band near the ring 116.

In each of the tools illustrated there is provided a toothed tensioning element for retracting the notched band, and means for holding the band in interlocking contact with said tensioning element as tension is applied. These components in the device of FIGURE 1 take the form of the toothed lever 1S and the channeled cross-member of the U-shaped brace 19. The same functions are performed in the device of FIGURE 6 by the toothed drive member 73 and the inturned edges of the cover members. In the 5 device of FIGURE 11, the worm 101 cooperates with the plate 105 to provide the same functions. The band is retracted with force sufficient to apply all necessary contraction to the clamp member by sliding the outer section over the inner section within the resilient retaining ring.

Each of the tools illustrated also provides anchoring means for supporting the clamp member against rotation as the band is tightened, by retraction of the extended outer lap, around the hose or other article on which the clamp is to be applied. Thus in FIGURE l the toothed surface 26 of the tip 24 prevents sliding of the inner lap as the outer lap is retracted through the resilient ring 27. The same function is served in FIGURE 6 by the toothed arcuate lower surface of the pointed tip member 58, and in FIGURE 11 by the curved notched metal strap 109. In the latter instance, the strap 109 is readily replaced by a similar section formed at a larger or smaller radius of curvature, when required for a clamp of such radius.

Means are also provided for preventing slippage of the band as tension is temporarily released during the tightening operation, although this function will ordinarily be adequately met in the clamp itself due to irreversible interaction of the notched overlying and underlying segments within the resilient retaining ring.

It will be apparent that many modifications of the apparatus here illustrated and described may be devised within the ambit of the inventive concept. For example, the essential components may be mounted for automatic rather than hand operation, or for application of tensioning force 'by foot pedal rather than by hand levers. The specific size and shape of the several component may be widely varied depending on the specic structure, dimensions, or material of the band employed in forming the clamp, or on the size and shape of the articles on which the clamp is to be aixed, or on the tension required to produce the desired clamping action, or on other variables.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A tool member suitable for applying clamp members under tension around hose connections, each of said clamp members comprising an elongate steel strap slit at each of a series of equally spaced uniformly centrally disposed transverse lines along its length and equally offset in opposite directions at opposite edges of each slit, said tool member comprising a housing having slot-like front and rear openings, Va longitudinally centrally relieved pressure plate along one side of a plane connecting said front and rear openings, a rotatable worm drive swingably supported at one end along the opposite side of said plane, and a support member having a concave toothed arcuate surface adjacent the front slot-like openmg.

2. A tool member suitable for tightening a clamp member around a hose connection, said clamp member comprising an elongate steel strap slit at each of a series of equally spaced uniformly centrally disposed transverse lines along its length and equally offset in opposite directions at opposite edges of each slit, said tool member comprising a housing having slot-like front and rear openings permitting passage of a fiat segment of said slit steel strap longitudinally through said housing, a longitudinally centrally channelled pressure plate disposed within said housing along one side of the plane of said strap segment, a pair of guide members disposed along the inner side walls of said housing parallel to the edge faces of said plate and spaced therefrom to provide a close-fitting channel for a said strap segment, a rotatable worm drive swingably supported at one end within said housing for effecting driving contact with a said segment between said pair of guide members, and a support member having a concave toothed arcuate surface adjacent the front slot-like opening for engaging a said clamp member.

3. A tool member adapted for tightening a clamp member about a hose connection and for then being easily removed therefrom, said clamp member comprising an elongate metal strap slit at each of a row of equally spaced transverse lines uniformly centrally disposed along its entire length and equally offset in opposite directions at opposite edges of each slit to form along each side of said strap a row of uniform ratchet-toothed projections, said tool member comprising: a housing having front and rear walls each having a slot-like opening, side Walls, a pressure plate disposed between said side walls, and a ridgelike support member at each of said side walls, the said slot-like openings, pressure plate, and support members defining a channel-like passageway for an extended metal strap segment of a said clamp member; a rotatable worm drive removably positionable between said ridge-like supports and opposite said pressure plate and. adapted for retracting a said segment supported within said passageway; and an arcuate section of toothed metal strap attached to said housing adjacent said front slot-like opening in position for supporting and restraining a said clamp member against said retraction.

4. A tool member adapted for tightening a clamp member about a hose connection, said clamp member comprising an elongate metal strap slit at each of a roW of equally spaced transverse lines uniformly centrally disposed along its entire length and equally offset in opposite directions at opposite edges of each slit to form along each side of said strap a row of uniform ratchet-toothed projections, said strap encircling said hose in overlapping ratchet-engaging position With the outer lap extending essentially tangentially, said tool member comprising: a frame; a pressure plate and a toothed 'tension element supported on said frame in parallel alignment and defining therebetween a channel-like passage-way for a tangentially extending outer lap of a ratchet-toothed metal strap clamp member, said toothed tensioning element including means for imparting and maintaining tension thereto; and a support member having a concave toothed arcuate strap-restraining surface supported on said frame in position for contacting the hose-encircling portion of the clamp member.

5. A tool member adapted for tightening a clamp member about a hose connection, said clamp member comprising an elongate metal strap slit at each of a roW of equally spaced transverse lines uniformly centrally disposed along its entire length and equally offset in opposite directions at opposite edges of each slit to form along each side of said strap a row of uniform ratchet toothed projections, said strap encircling said hose in overlapping ratchet-engaging position with the outer lap extending essentially tangentially, said tool member comprising: a frame; a pointed tip on said frame having a toothed arcuate lower surface adapted to mesh with the inner lap of a said hose-encircling clamp member adjacent the overlapping position, and a toothed fiat upper surface adapted to support the extended outer lap segment of a said clamp member; a pressure plate and a toothed tensioning element supported on said frame in parallel alignment and in alignment with said upper tip surface and defining therebetween a channel-like passage-way for a said extended segment; and lever and linkage means on said frame for urging said tensioning element toward said pressure plate and away from said tip.

6. A tool member adapted for tightening a clamp member about a hose connection, said clamp member comprising an elongate metal strap slit at each of a row of equally spaced transverse lines uniformly centrally disposed along its entire length and equally offset in opposite directions at opposite edges of each slit to form along each side of said strap a row of uniform ratchet-toothed projections, said strap encircling said hose in overlapping ratchet-engaging position with the outer lap extending essentially tangentially, said tool member comprising: a frame; a pointed tip on said frame having a toothed arcuate lower surface adapted to mesh with the inner lap of a said hose-encircling clamp member adjacent the overlapping position; a pressure plate supported on said frame above said tip, and a ratchet-driven toothed wheel beneath 7 said plate, said wheel and plate dening therebetween a curved channel-like passage-way for the extended outer lap segment of a said clamp member; and lever and linkage means on said frame for rotating said wheel and urging a said segment in a direction away from said tip to cause tightening of the clamp member.

7. The tool member of claim 6 including a hollow toroidal handle member for enclosing a supply of said strap, and a ratchet strap feed member Supported on said frame betwene said handle and said tip for advancing a said strap from said handle toward said tip.

8. The tool member of claim 7 including a strap-bending member attached to said frame adjacent said tip for forming an outwardly advancing strap into circular configuration, and a strap-cutting member attached to said 15 frame adjacent said bending member for severing a said strap.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Walker July 3, Brown Sept. 23, Govanus Mar. 2, Keeble Dec. 23, OShei Sept. 28, Hewitt et al. J an. 10, Clauss et al. Jan. 21, Campian May 6,

Ott Nov. 24,

FOREIGN PATENTS Canada Mar. 12, 

4. A TOOL MEMBER ADAPTED FOR TIGHTENING A CLAMP MEMBER ABOUT A HOSE CONNECTION, SAID CLAMP MEMBER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED METAL STRAP SLIP AT EACH OF A ROW OF EQUALLY SPACED TRANSVERSE LINES UNIFORMLY CENTRALLY DISPOSED ALONG ITS ENTIRE LENGTH AND EQUALLY OFFSET IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AT OPPOSITE EDGES OF EACH SLIT TO FORM ALONG EACH SIDE OF SAID STRAP A ROW OF UNIFORM RATCHET-TOOTHED PROJECTIONS, SAID STRAP ENCIRCLING SAID HOSE IN OVERLAPPING RATCHET-ENGAGING POSITION WITH THE UPPER LAP EXTENDING ESSENTIALLY TANGENTIALLY, SAID TOOL MEMBER COMPRISING: A FRAME; A PRESSURE PLATE AND A TOOTHED TENSION ELEMENT SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME IN PARALLEL ALIGNMENT AND DEFINING THEREBETWEEN A CHANNEL-LIKE PASSAGE-WAY FOR A TANGENTIALLY EXTENDING OUTER LAP OF A RATCHET-TOOTHED METAL STRAP CLAMP MEMBER, SAID TOOTHED TENSIONING ELEMENT INCLUDING MEANS FOR IMPARTING AND MAINTAINING TENSION THERETO; AND SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A CONCAVE TOOTHED ARCUATE STRAP-RESTRAINING SURFACE SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME IN POSITION FOR CONTACTING THE HOSE-ENCIRCLING PORTION OF THE CLAMP MEMBER. 